HC Deb 04 December 1978 vol 959 cc521-2W
Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Industry on how many occasions the National Enterprise Board has sought his approval to a proposed sale of any voting shares or stock which it held; and on how many occasions his approval has been given.

Mr. Les Huckfield

The Board has sought, and received on six occasions my right hon. Friend's approval to the disposal of voting shares or stock held by it.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied with the working of the National Enterprise Board; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Les Huckfield

Yes; my right hon. Friend has every confidence in the Board. The Industry Bill, which will be introduced shortly, will reaffirm the Government's support for the work of the Board.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list in the Official Report the names of members from the North-West sitting on the National Enterprise Board.

Mr. Kaufman

While several of the 11 members of the NEB were born in the North-West, have lived in the North-West, have worked in the North-West, or have had business connections with the North-West, Board members are not appointed as representatives of specific interests or areas, but principally for their industrial and commercial skills and experience.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what criteria are used in making appointments to the National Enterprise Board.

Mr. Les Huckfield

There are no statutory or other formal criteria governing appointments to the Board, but my right hon. Friend has close regard to members' industrial and commercial skills and experience.

Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will place in the Library copies of the National Enterprise Board's five-year corporate plan, recently submitted to him, and copies of the National Enterprise Board's planning leaflet.

Mr. Les Huckfield

The Board's corporate plan is commercially confidential and will not be published. My right hon. Friend has asked the Board to provide the hon. Member with a copy of its planning leaflet.